[Terbinafine resistance explains treatment failure in a patient with tinea corporis]

Tinea corporis is a superficial fungal infection of the limbs, chest or back caused by dermatophytes. Local antifungal treatment is often sufficient to treat tinea corporis. Systemic treatment may be needed in more severe cases, in immunocompromised patients or when treatment failure is documented. Treatment failure is relative common and frequent causes are low compliance, low systemic antifungal drug concentrations, reduced penetration of topical agents or an immunocompromised status. Recently, antifungal resistance has been documented in dermatophytes.

We describe a patient with terbinafine treatment failure caused by antifungal drug resistance.

The frequency of terbinafine resistance in the Netherlands is unknown as no surveillance is performed. Recent reports from both India and European countries indicate that antifungal resistance should be considered in patients with terbinafine treatment failure.